Your Observer

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

Leading ladies

Applications are currently being accepted for the Giving Matters Youth Philanthropy Leadership Award, in Memory of Lois B. Green.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

Duck, duck goose

Teddy Jordan and siblings Kaylie, Kristina and Adam Schay, lived out a real-life version of the childhood game "Duck, Duck, Goose" Sunday, Jan. 27, at the We Love Israel Streetfair and Marketplace.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

Have band, will travel

Local musicians looking for a regular gig are in luck.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

Olympic teams vie for accolades

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School students are training hard, as they prepare for interscholastic competition.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

Braden River students learn Florida's history

Students at Braden River High School got an entertaining and informative glimpse into Florida's past, when Patrick "Rick" Smith Jr. shared stories from his father in a multimedia presentation Jan. 23, at the school.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

LWR hosts film's world premiere

Lakewood Ranch Cinemas and the Sarasota Film Society hosted the world premiere of "Parker," a crime thriller that depicts a thief with a unique code of professional ethics.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

Palm-Aire Art Association start year with a 'bang'

As the Art Association of Palm Aire celebrates its 30th anniversary, organization leaders already have a busy year lined up.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

Town manager goes under the radar

Is Mayor Jim Brown the new sheriff in town? Not exactly.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

Caleb gets a new home at Mote

A sea turtle named Caleb has new crawling grounds: the Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 1, 2013

Candidates set date with Observer, PIC

All six commission candidates have agreed to participate in a forum co-sponsored by the Longboat Observer and the Longboat Key Public Interest Committee at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
February 1, 2013

Lady Rams finish as district runner-up

The Riverview High girls basketball team fell to North Port 70-39 in the Class 8A-District 8 championship Jan. 31.

East County
Sports

Katie Hendrick
February 1, 2013

WEEKEND BEST BET: Sarasota Ski-A-Rees season opener

Waterski troupe has been a Sarasota tradition for 56 years.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Roger Drouin
January 31, 2013

Sarasota CRA welcomes two new members

Drayton Saunders and Lynn Robbins join Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board.

Sarasota
News

Eddie Kirsch
January 31, 2013

Jan. 31: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Prostitution investigations result in five arrests; Man arrested after GMD crash; Manatee authorities have named suspects in a burglary case; Camp shows complexity of homeless issue.

Longboat Key
News

Josh Siegel
January 31, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Chabad Cocktail Party & Silent Auction

The Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch held its annual Cocktail Party & Gala Auction Jan. 30 in the Fete Ballroom at Polo Grill. This year's event, themed 'Growing Together,' featured a silent auction, raffles and food.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
January 31, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Young Leaders Alliance Kickoff Social

A kickoff social Jan. 30 at Polo Grill marked the beginning of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance' Young Leaders Alliance. Tommy Klauber, 2013 LWRBA chairman, started the leadership group for professionals under 40 years old this year.

East County
News

Katie Hendrick
January 31, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Bird Key Yacht Club Style Show

The ladies of Bird Key Yacht Club enjoyed brunch and a fashion show Thursday, Jan. 31. Members modeled designs by Worth, a couture line available only by appointment with a consultant.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Josh Siegel
January 31, 2013

Six Manatee County Schools superintendent finalists selected for interviews

The Manatee County School board approved a list six finalists for the district's superintendent post in a special workshop today.

East County
News

Kurt Schultheis
January 31, 2013

Colony's appearance from the beach questioned

Now that the front of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort has been cleaned up, residents want the back of the resort to be spruced up.

Longboat Key
News

Nick Friedman
January 31, 2013

Booker's Death By Chocolate returns with new format

The annual VPA fundraiser has forgone its traditional jazz review format

Sarasota
News

Roger Drouin
January 31, 2013

Prostitution investigations result in five arrests

The Sarasota Police Department's Street Crimes Unit and Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting prostitution in the city.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
January 31, 2013

Sarasota County Commission revisits 2050 plan

Members of the Sarasota County Commission agreed Wednesday to revisit the county's 2050 plan for development.

East County
News

Robin Hartill
January 31, 2013

Man arrested after GMD crash

A man told police that his license was suspended after a crash that caused minor injuries to a 90-year-old woman.

Longboat Key
News

Pam Eubanks
January 31, 2013

Manatee authorities name suspects in burglary case

Six vehicles in Central Park were burglarized last week.

East County
News

Jen Blanco
January 31, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch vs. Naples Gulf Coast

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team saw its season come to an end with a 4-1 loss to Naples Gulf Coast in a Class 4A-Region 3 quarterfinal match Jan. 30. Senior midfielder Jason Ferguson scored the lone goal for the Mustangs with 14 minutes left to play in the second half.

East County
Sports

Yaryna Klimchak
January 31, 2013

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce announces award recipients

The 2012 Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce business person of the year was Cheryl Gaddie of CG Designs. Get the full list here!

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Alex Mahadevan
January 31, 2013

County to re-work noise ordinance

Sarasota County is scheduling neighborhood workshops to gather input on how to simplify sound regulations.

Siesta Key
News

Alex Mahadevan
January 31, 2013

SCAT pitches strategic plan

County commissioners call for more efficiency from Sarasota County Area Transit but approve the Siesta Key trolley project.

Siesta Key
News

Yaryna Klimchak
January 31, 2013

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce recognizes committed businesses

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting and Business of the Year Awards Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Libby's Cafe + Bar to recap the year and award businesses for excellence.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Roger Drouin
January 31, 2013

First Street to undergo facelift

The street will get wider sidewalks, underground utilities, brick crosswalks and lush landscaping.

Sarasota
News

Roger Drouin
January 31, 2013

Camp shows complexity of the homeless issue

A homeless population staying on Central Avenue illustrates the city's difficulty in trying to find a strategy to deal with an increasing homeless population.